Humboldt TEDx event seeks 'outlaws'

The local TEDx planning group is looking for "outlaws" — everyone from "bikers" to "counterculture freaks"— to talk at its next event in December.

TEDxHumboldtBay co-organizer Michael Kraft said he is constantly amazed by the creativity and talent in the region, which is why the six-person planning group put on the first local TEDx event in 2012 and is currently planning the third.

TED, which stands for "Technology, Entertainment and Design," is a nonprofit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading." Speakers through the organization have included Bill Gates, Al Gore and Jane Goodall. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events nationwide where live speakers spark deep discussions and connections in a smaller group.

"Humboldt's a creative place, and we want to give a platform for people to show that," Kraft said, adding they are currently looking for 20 to 30 speakers. "You just can't have too many interesting, intellectually stimulating conversations. The audience went away buzzing both times. For Humboldt County, we're kind of off the grid — all the themes we came up with for the event were bland and I mentioned 'outlaw' as a joke, and everyone liked it."

Jessicurl Founder and CEO Jessica McGuinty spoke at the last event and said she had never prepared that much for anything, but the experience was rewarding.

"My talk was called 'Your Unknown Impact' and was about those kinds of seemingly inconsequential interactions with people where you wish you could have told someone the impact they had on you or someone tells you the impact you had on them when you didn't even realize it," McGuinty said adding she told two really personal stories. "One anecdote was about when I was waiting tables, had a couple as customers and was just doing my job. A couple weeks later, the woman came back and said her boyfriend killed himself two days after I had served them and she came in to thank me because I was the last person to make him laugh."

McGuinty said several of the audience members came up to her after and said her talk made them cry and think.

"All the videos are on YouTube. People have shared mine without me asking them to, and it's really flattering when somebody finds it that moving," McGuinty said. "Not only was the feedback rewarding, but I was really thankful the process of actually doing the talk reminded me to keep the ideas in mind — you just never know the impact you'll have on someone. Cut people slack if they're being mean or rude."

Kraft said tickets will cost $25, with profits going toward the events. The next one is on Dec. 7 at the College of the Redwoods theatre, and will accommodate around 250 people. He said there will be a vetting and audition process for applicants.

The previous events were held at the Arcata Theatre Lounge and sold out at 100 tickets, according to Kraft.

Organizer and production manager for the events Laura Montagna said she has watched TED talks since they began and there have always been wonderful snippets of wisdom that have helped her in life.

"To be able to do that in the local area for other people, with concise information that's either new or inspiring, is very fulfilling. Even if you're not sure, but you think you might have something to say, we want to hear from you. If this excites you at all, if you're passionate about something — reach out. I promise I won't allow anyone to make a fool of themselves on stage."

LEARN MORE

• Those interested in participating in the next TEDxHumboldtBay event should fill out an application at www.tedxhumboldtbay.com. Anyone with questions or interest other roles for the event, such as being a volunteer, should contact Laura Montagna at tedxlaura@gmail.com.

• Both previous events are on YouTube and can be found by searching for "TEDxEureka" and "TEDxYouth@HumboldtBay."